Saudi authorities break down Hajj pilgrim numbers

Saudi authorities confirmed the number of pilgrims that arrived in the kingdom for the annual Muslim pilgrimage. In a news conference held at the operation centre in Mina, the Ministry of Hajj and Omrah spokesman said that over 910,000 pilgrims performed the rituals of hajj.

Saudi security forces implemented very strict plans to preserve hajj security and to prevent any practices of disturbance. The majority of the nearly one million pilgrims were not wearing masks or maintaining social distancing during their rituals.

But the Saudi Ministry of Health denied any kind of health safety breaches. Saudi Arabia maintained limits to curb the spread of the virus this year, with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate and attendance less than half of pre-pandemic quotas.